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| - I have lived close by to the co-op for a little over a year, and I do the majority of my grocery shopping here (probably about 80%--I also shop at Aldi, Trader Joe's, and Whole Foods periodically; they all have their assets).
Probably the co-op's greatest assets are its local produce and friendly environment. First, while the produce can be expensive (usually for good reason considering the quality and origins of the produce), some produce is very well-priced. For example, there are bins of local mushrooms that you buy by the pound; if you compare those prices per pound to the pre-packaged containers at other grocery stores, it's an incredible deal. I also tend to shop the produce on sale; there's usually always something. Sometimes the deals are downright crazy (e.g. $1.25 for a pink of organic blackberries or $1 for a bag of onions). Second, all of the co-op employees I've interacted with have been very friendly and helpful. In general, the store has a friendly vibe. Even on weekends, I've never found the co-op to be as overwhelming as other grocery stores.
As others have said, the bulk items are unique and useful. There are also good deals to be had there. I also enjoy the bakery items; I don't have any dietary restrictions, but they certainly aim to cater to those with specialized diets (e.g. gluten free, vegan, nut allergies).
As for drawbacks, I find them pretty minimal. The parking lot can get crowded, but again, I don't think it's worse than any other grocery stores in the area. I also tend to avoid buying some pantry staples (e.g. vinegar) and snacks (e.g. chips, crackers) here because the same quality can be found cheaper at other places. I'm used to going to different stores for different needs though, so this is not a big deal for me.
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